--- title: Waldluftbadeweg Birau - Heidenstein url: "https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-tour/detail/430007189/waldluftbadeweg-birau-heidenstein.html" description: Forest air bathing in RainbachRainbach lies in the Mühlviertel highlands between the mountain ranges of the Bohemian Forest and Sternwald to the west and the Freiwald to the east. The north-south connection through the Bohemian Gate to Bohemia, which has been important since early history, runs through the municipality. It is also home to the Heidenstein, an ancient and important cult centre. The centre of the Rainbach plateau is the Birauberg to the north-west, a once very impressive moorland forest. date: 2017-02-22 modified: 2026-03-18 --- # Waldluftbadeweg Birau - Heidenstein Waldluftbadeweg Birau - Heidenstein ===================================== **Path number:** Route mit grünen Legenden **Starting place:** 4261 Rainbach im Mühlkreis **Destination:** 4261 Rainbach im Mühlkreis ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/247211/4C1E71BDCB43D280262B00B1E37392EF45288C0761986879DB5A0C944B92C8B4/rainbachwanderstein-labyrinth.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/247222/1AF292805789D70681165057085B8C78314EF1DEFBA034F505C7BEF642233214/rainbachviadukt-der-pferdeeisenbahn.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/247223/6434A405A3A3C440F0DC8E743B65751CC74779A84B4DD91C53286B458D26D7CC/rainbachbirau.jpg) © Open copyright © Wolfgang Strasser Close copyright [ ![Rainbach_Wanderstein Labyrinth](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/247211/4C1E71BDCB43D280262B00B1E37392EF45288C0761986879DB5A0C944B92C8B4/rainbachwanderstein-labyrinth.jpg "© Wolfgang Strasser") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/247211/4C1E71BDCB43D280262B00B1E37392EF45288C0761986879DB5A0C944B92C8B4/rainbachwanderstein-labyrinth.jpg) © Open copyright © Wolfgang Strasser Close copyright [ ![Rainbach_Viaduct of the horse-drawn railway](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/247222/1AF292805789D70681165057085B8C78314EF1DEFBA034F505C7BEF642233214/rainbachviadukt-der-pferdeeisenbahn.jpg "© Wolfgang Strasser") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/247222/1AF292805789D70681165057085B8C78314EF1DEFBA034F505C7BEF642233214/rainbachviadukt-der-pferdeeisenbahn.jpg) © Open copyright © Wolfgang Strasser Close copyright [ ![Rainbach_Birau](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/247223/6434A405A3A3C440F0DC8E743B65751CC74779A84B4DD91C53286B458D26D7CC/rainbachbirau.jpg "© Wolfgang Strasser") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/247223/6434A405A3A3C440F0DC8E743B65751CC74779A84B4DD91C53286B458D26D7CC/rainbachbirau.jpg) © Open copyright © Wolfgang Strasser Close copyright [ ![Rainbach_Heidenstein](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/247224/98C2755EF4EC351046DA1222C4DFA2D6F7E83225DE5BC27EB1462494E6C63481/rainbachheidenstein.jpg "© Wolfgang Strasser") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/247224/98C2755EF4EC351046DA1222C4DFA2D6F7E83225DE5BC27EB1462494E6C63481/rainbachheidenstein.jpg) © Open copyright © TVB Mühlviertler Kernland Close copyright [ ![Rainbach_Chakraweg hiking trail](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/247225/4938BDF558F84DC37A1B256591ECE79A7F9B5107281AEFDDBE2A18B36F7F173A/rainbachchakraweg-wanderweg.jpg "© TVB Mühlviertler Kernland") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/247225/4938BDF558F84DC37A1B256591ECE79A7F9B5107281AEFDDBE2A18B36F7F173A/rainbachchakraweg-wanderweg.jpg) © Open copyright © Wolfgang Strasser Close copyright [ ![Rainbach_Thingplatz Taiding](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/247226/396E14F534F89D73651FBCE6B346076BCAC64F3D9E2A8AE7CA6C5AFAC7245214/rainbachthingplatz-taiding.jpg "© Wolfgang Strasser") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/247226/396E14F534F89D73651FBCE6B346076BCAC64F3D9E2A8AE7CA6C5AFAC7245214/rainbachthingplatz-taiding.jpg) © Open copyright © TVB Mühlviertler Kernland Close copyright [ ![WLB Map_Rainbach](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/247221/93012FA018D1FF2097902F7E734318FC64A4BE691452D1185C8E1A8F205B98CF/wlb-karterainbach.jpg "© TVB Mühlviertler Kernland") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/247221/93012FA018D1FF2097902F7E734318FC64A4BE691452D1185C8E1A8F205B98CF/wlb-karterainbach.jpg) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Circular route Prager Straße 5 4240 Freistadt [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Prager%20Stra%C3%9Fe%205%2C%204240%20Freistadt "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Prager%20Stra%C3%9Fe%205%2C%204240%20Freistadt "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&path=enc:w|jgHcejwAk@\i@Tw@Bs@?GB]Lk@FO?MKOEQ?]?cALsBh@o@TuAz@a@NqCdAiCbA{@f@cA\o@XSBk@`@{@n@w@z@_AbAeEdG}CvD}ChE]d@Gt@eAlMQ`IOhBFpAK`@O^y@lBOd@M\Kb@k@lEm@rDI`@a@dBIVKVe@bAuCnKs@tC?X}AlEGbCN~B?LC~BKdAo@z@U`@Kh@B^\hBr@z@Pj@Fz@?v@I|@Gj@?~@Kr@Qj@?\CXYh@Ov@BfAF`A?h@K`@Q~@GbB?|AFnBFdBGTCPBVKPEHK^UxAOfBBlCBv@Cv@YpC]`FQxAWfD?z@Br@R|AXtALpA`@`DThAp@vDL~@Bz@B\BLKjAIf@?d@f@|EXrBz@pHXrDF`BFtA?~@PpC?Xr@e@l@Q`@?J|@DVTdC\bE?\Ij@G~@GxABXFXX`@TXFPBRB`@B\HXFLTXT\J\Ph@Vn@Xz@PTNJj@PJJPr@Jz@TpAn@bCJh@DFJ^Nd@HPRRhAr@NBXBXHbA`@PPn@J\?d@UJCTB~@j@LJJTHT`@|Ad@bC`@tCXdCJd@PXTTTJz@\RBH?F?TKNKTIP?NBFDHFJNPORQL?THb@f@nAvAV\L\fAtCTr@\z@TNTHUIUO]{@Us@gAuCM]W]sB_CUIM?SPQNKOIGGEOCQ?UHOJUJQ?SC{@]UKUUQYKe@YeCa@uCCMa@uBa@}AIUKUMK_Ak@UCKBe@T]?o@KGiC@]@MBSF]Po@PyAh@_CJo@\gAb@iA~@wD\iA]hArB_HjAeEf@q@~@k@l@s@n@m@|AiCTY|AgAr@mATe@Jg@Fe@DkAFc@\yAFa@Ba@Bi@?k@Ca@?a@Ho@d@iCNcAj@gAFUH]\eCNg@`@oAdAm@bAQ~@Oz@UrDuAfDgBnFeFlCwCv@kAz@qATUXO~@YCM_@aA^`As@mBeAaA{@kAkAeCIOO]a@uAw@wDs@yDw@qCOi@Uo@GUMe@Ga@o@yEGg@UgAOeAMkACmA_AwKGcAEyACe@Eo@g@mIyCp@eCj@UBaBh@{CjDzCkDwDhEmJzCkDz@mAQ_C]_ACi@?YFYLmAJkAj@{BnAYt@yAxDs@hAs@?{@\a@MKGJFa@W{@d@cDwD}A{ED_AE~@FkAs@{C?gES}@_@Z_@Zo@a@s@{@]iBC_@Ji@Ta@NS^g@JeAB_COmC@s@DoA|AmE?Yr@uCdBoGn@_Cd@cATo@`@eBHa@l@sDj@mEJa@L_@Ne@hAmCJa@GqANiBB}@LcGlAcO\e@|CiE|CwDdEeG~@cAv@{@fBqARCn@YbA]z@g@hCcArDuAtA{@n@UDAlBg@bAMn@?NDLJN?b@EFA\MFCr@?v@C`@QFCj@]??&server=meta.tourdata.at) **Forest air bathing in Rainbach** Rainbach lies in the Mühlviertel highlands between the mountain ranges of the Bohemian Forest and Sternwald to the west and the Freiwald to the east. The north-south connection through the Bohemian Gate to Bohemia, which has been important since early history, runs through the municipality. It is also home to the Heidenstein, an ancient and important cult centre. The centre of the Rainbach plateau is the Birauberg to the north-west, a once very impressive moorland forest. **Birau - Heidenstein forest air bathing trail** We start in the centre of Rainbach. After a short hike along the R9 on the way to Deutsch-Hörschlag, it intersects with the horse-drawn railway trail and the Nordwaldkammweg II, which we follow westwards. The horse-drawn railway viaduct is an impressive reminder of this historic form of transport. The so-called Pürau / Birau north of Summerau is a formerly extensive area of moorland forest. The mixed forest with many pine trees has a high basic energy. There are many pine circles, each with a beech tree in the centre. The derivation of Pürau = fire and Au (water) is obvious and can also be seen in the fiery/watery effect of the forest landscape. The Heidenstein to the west of the village of Eibenstein is also called Hohenstein: "high" in the sense of "holy". The location is centred between Sternstein and Viehberg and is regarded as a prehistoric fertility site and a place for observing the sun. The chakra hiking trail leads around the Heidenstein with 7 stations with exercises for the respective chakra. The way back leads via Summerau, through the Birau forest and via the horse-drawn railway back to the starting point in Rainbach. **Forest air bath trail Birau - Heidenstein - Waypoints** 1. hiking stone 2nd horse-drawn railway, Birau viaduct 3. Birau/Pürau 4th Heidenstein 5. chakra hiking trail 6th Thingplatz (Taiding) For guided tours, please contact our qualified forest air bathing masters - you can find more information **[here.](https://www.muehlviertel.at/wo/region-freistadt/die-region/kontaktdaten-waldluftbademeister.html)** [ Tour and route information ](#ttgCollapseTourdetails) --------------------------------------------------------- **Path number:** Route mit grünen Legenden **Starting place:** 4261 Rainbach im Mühlkreis **Destination:** 4261 Rainbach im Mühlkreis **duration:** 4h 6m **length:** 15,3 km **Altitude difference (uphill):** 204m **Altitude difference (downhill):** 201m **Lowest point:** 646m **Highest point:** 722m **difficulty:** easy **condition:** easy **panoramic view:** Individual Views **Paths covering:** Hiking trail, Other **Starting point:** Walking stone labyrinth **Destination:** Walking stone labyrinth **further information:** - Circular route [ ![Altitude profile Waldluftbadeweg Birau - Heidenstein](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430007189&width=355&height=250&FontSize=12&mkt=en) ![Altitude profile Waldluftbadeweg Birau - Heidenstein](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430007189&width=450&height=350&mkt=en) ](#ttgHoehenprofilModal "Waldluftbadeweg Birau - Heidenstein") [ Along the trail ](#ttgCollapseAnDerStrecke) ----------------------------------------------- [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Blumauer Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/182370/7C61135A3DAC22B26C9BC0E138239B144F26E02CDED7B1603033BB129F251E17/lobby-gasthof-und-pension-blumauer.png "Lobby Gasthof and Pension Blumauer (© Copyright: Blumauer)") Blumauer Gasthof und Pension ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/101395/blumauer-gasthof-und-pension.html) [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Gasthof Pension Scherb Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/185833/576953D790C0DB3E181573D5DF269A752DF31F71C2916E76DE6A59D29E58D49B/gasthof-pension-scherb.jpg "Gasthof Pension Scherb (© Copyright: Gasthof Pension Scherb)") Gasthof Scherb ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/103888/gasthof-scherb.html) [ Teichstüberl ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/430007827/teichstueberl.html) 1. 2. 3. [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - All weather - Suitable for groups - Suitable for schools - Suitable for teenagers - Suitable for seniors - Suitable for single travelers - Suitable for friends - Suitable for couples **Most economical season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn - Early winter [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. [ Grooming service ](#ttgCollapseWegbetreuer) ----------------------------------------------- [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Marktgemeindeamt Raibach im Mühlkreis Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/196819/EDF359BC694CC057EB5C1EA56D21ADB981F1CD83C41B432965CD7E5B8C139D64/gemeindeamt-rainbach-im-muehlkreis.jpg "Rainbach im Mühlkreis municipal office (© Copyright: Marktgemeindeamt Raibach im Mühlkreis)") Gemeindeamt Rainbach im Mühlkreis ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/101499/gemeindeamt-rainbach-im-muehlkreis.html) [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **Waldluftbadeweg Birau - Heidenstein** Marktgemeindeamt Rainbach i. M. Prager Straße 5 4240 Freistadt Phone [ +43 7949 6255 ](tel:+4379496255) E-Mail [freistadt@muehlviertel.at](#mailto) Web [www.waldluftbaden.at](http://www.waldluftbaden.at "New window") http://www.waldluftbaden.at --- **We speak the following languages** German [ Declaration of consent ](#ttgCollapseZustimmung) ---------------------------------------------------- Interactive elevation profile ------------------------------- [ Download GPS data ](#ttgDisclaimerContent) [ Create PDF ](#ttgTourdataPdfModal430007189) [To the website](http://www.waldluftbaden.at "New window") ×Declaration of consent ---------------------- The tours presented here are suggested tours that are provided free of charge. 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